John Kasich

Biography

Newsweek magazine named John Kasich one of its "100 people for the 21st century." Why?

John Kasich believes in the power of the individual to raise standards and leave a better America for the next generation. He knows that more government isn't the answer to what ails America, and he believes in the power of individual actions to bring about historic change in our country. He fought for these ideals as a nine-term Congressman from Ohio, and now as a business leader, media personality, author and speaker John Kasich continues to "raise the bar."

Elected to the Ohio State Senate at the age of 26 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 at the age of 30 (the only Republican in the nation to defeat an incumbent Democrat that year) John played major roles in a variety of groundbreaking achievements during his 18 years in Congress.

As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, John was the chief architect of the plan that balanced the federal budget for the first time since man first walked on the moon and provided for the largest government surplus our country has ever seen. An advocate of personal responsibility, John also chaired the historic congressional committee that overhauled the welfare system. Throughout his almost two decades in Congress, John was known for his straightforward style, boundless energy and commitment to limited government. He championed defense reform and the elimination of wasteful government spending by effectively building coalitions with members on both sides of the aisle.

John decided not to seek election to a 10th congressional term so that he could pursue new challenges and experiences outside of Washington. Today he serves as a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers in their Investment Banking Division. He maintains responsibilities across a range of industry groups on which Lehman Brothers focuses its investment banking activities including health care, power and utilities, technology, and financial institutions.

As host of "From the Heartland with John Kasich," John is able to take a weekly look at news from around the nation and world. "Heartland" airs on the Fox News Channel every Saturday night. John also substitutes as the host for "The O'Reilly Factor" and is a contributor to other Fox News shows. He has hosted "Heroes with John Kasich," which highlighted the lives and accomplishments of individuals who have done extraordinary things to improve their communities or the lives of others.

John's ability to communicate powerfully and effectively means he is in high demand as a speaker to national organizations and corporations throughout the country. He also serves on the corporate boards of companies in the manufacturing, health, advanced materials and Internet technology sectors and is a Guest Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication and The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business. He is a former guest fellow at Texas A&M's George Bush School of Government and Public Service. Additionally, John is the author of the New York Times best seller, Courage is Contagious.

Although immersed in private-sector life, John Kasich remains dedicated to making a difference through politics. He is Chairman of New Century Project (www.newcenturyproject.org), a national grassroots organization that helps elect leaders who believe in the power of the individual.

John has been profiled on "60 Minutes" and has appeared on virtually every major network and cable news show. George magazine featured him as "One of the Most Fascinating Men in Politics." An avid reader, golfer and fitness enthusiast, John lives in Westerville, Ohio with his wife Karen and their twin daughters, Emma and Reese.